Salix

Guides

Acronicta lepusculina
Cottonwood Dagger Moth, Cottonwood Dagger
Acronicta lepusculina, commonly known as the cottonwood dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. Adults have a wingspan of 40–50 mm and are active from May to July. The species is notable for its larval association with woody plants in the genera Salix, Populus, and Betula.
moth Noctuidae dagger-moth North-America woodland larval-host-plants Salix Populus Betula
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
Agrilus politus
willow gall limb borer, common willow agrilus
Agrilus politus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is commonly known as the willow gall limb borer or common willow agrilus. It is associated with willow (Salix) hosts and has been documented as part of the prey provisions collected by the crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis. The species occurs in Central America and North America.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle wood-borer willow Salix Cerceris-fumipennis
Altica bimarginata
willow flea beetle
Altica bimarginata is a small, shiny blue flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the willow flea beetle. It measures 5–6 mm in length and 2–3 mm in width. The species is distributed across North America and Central America and is frequently associated with willow plants (Salix genus). Three subspecies are recognized: A. b. bimarginata, A. b. labradorensis, and A. b. plicipennis. A neotype was designated for this species due to the loss of the original type specimen.
Chrysomelidae flea-beetle willow riparian costate blue-beetle North-America Central-America Salix herbivore subspecies
Anacampsis innocuella
dark-headed aspen leafroller moth
Anacampsis innocuella is a gelechiid moth described by Zeller in 1873. The species is known for its larval behavior of rolling leaves on host plants in the genera Populus, Salix, and Prunus. Adults are small moths with distinctive ash grey coloration and a pale wavy transverse line on the forewings. The common name "dark-headed aspen leafroller moth" reflects both its appearance and its association with aspen (Populus).
leafroller Populus Salix Prunus Gelechiidae North-America forest-pest deciduous-forest
Calligrapha multipunctata
common willow calligrapha, Common Willow Calligrapher Beetle
Calligrapha multipunctata is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the common willow calligrapha. The species is native to North America and is associated with willow (Salix) as a host plant. Like other members of the genus Calligrapha, it exhibits distinctive elytral patterning. Three subspecies have been described, though one (C. m. suturella) may represent a separate species.
Chrysomelidae leaf-beetle willow Salix North-America herbivore host-specific
Catocala allusa
Catocala allusa is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae. It occurs in the Pacific Northwest of North America, ranging from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to northern California, with possible occurrence in western Nevada. Adults are active from July to August, with likely one generation per year. The species is one of approximately 250 known underwing moths in the genus Catocala, characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings.
underwing-moth Pacific-Northwest Populus Salix univoltine
Catocala californica
Western Underwing Moth
Catocala californica is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864. It belongs to the underwing moth genus Catocala, characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings when at rest. The species is found in western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south to California. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on specific host plants.
underwing-moth western-North-America Juglans Salix
Catocala irene
Irene's underwing
Catocala irene, known as Irene's underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Hans Hermann Behr in 1870. It is found in the western United States, specifically in Utah, California, and Nevada. The species has a wingspan of 65–75 mm and adults are active from July to September, with likely one generation per year. The larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
underwing-moth western-United-States riparian Populus Salix univoltine
Catocala jessica
Jessica underwing
Catocala jessica, commonly known as the Jessica underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Henry Edwards in 1877, this species is found in western and central North America. The species is named with the specific epithet "jessica" and is one of many underwing moths in the genus Catocala, which are characterized by their cryptically patterned forewings and brightly colored hindwings.
moth underwing western-North-America riparian Populus Salix
Catocala meskei
Meske's Underwing, Meske's Underwing Moth
Catocala meskei is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Like other members of the genus Catocala, it exhibits the characteristic underwing pattern: cryptic, bark-mimicking forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The species has a transcontinental North American distribution spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains. Adults are active during mid to late summer, and larvae feed on poplar and willow species.
underwing-moth Erebidae North-America nocturnal Populus Salix riparian cryptic-coloration startle-display
Catocala parta
Mother Underwing Moth, Mother Underwing
Catocala parta, the mother underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are active from August to September and possess a wingspan of 70–78 mm. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing pattern of cryptic forewings concealing brightly colored hindwings. Larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
underwing-moth nocturnal riparian Populus Salix late-summer North-America cryptic-coloration startle-display
Chionodes abitus
Chionodes abitus is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Hodges in 1999. It occurs in western North America from California north to British Columbia and Saskatchewan. The species is associated with willow (Salix) hosts.
Gelechiidae western-North-America willow-feeder Salix
Chrysomela knabi
Knab's Leaf Beetle
Chrysomela knabi is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Brown in 1956. It is a willow-feeding specialist found in North America, with two recognized subspecies: C. k. knabi and C. k. hesperia. The species has been studied for its larval performance and adult fitness in relation to host plant quality and moisture content.
leaf-beetle Chrysomelidae willow-feeder Salix North-America host-specialization subspecies C.-k.-hesperia C.-k.-knabi
Corythucha elegans
willow lace bug
Corythucha elegans, commonly known as the willow lace bug, is a small true bug in the family Tingidae. The species is specialized on willows (Salix spp.) as host plants and occurs across North America. Like other lace bugs, it possesses distinctive flattened, reticulated forewings that give it a delicate, lace-like appearance. The species was described by Carl J. Drake in 1918.
Tingidae lace-bug willow Salix phloem-feeder North-America Hemiptera
Cryptorhynchus
hidden snout weevils
Cryptorhynchus is a genus of hidden snout weevils in the family Curculionidae, containing at least 480 described species. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'hidden' and 'snout,' referring to the concealed rostrum characteristic of these beetles. The genus includes economically significant species such as Cryptorhynchus lapathi, the poplar-and-willow borer, which is a major pest of Salix and Populus species in North America and elsewhere.
weevil wood-borer pest Salix Populus riparian invasive cryptic
Dorytomus hirtus
Shaggy Weevil
Dorytomus hirtus is a weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the Shaggy Weevil. The species was described by LeConte in 1876 and is distributed across northern North America, with records from western Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory. As a member of the genus Dorytomus, it belongs to a group of weevils associated with woody plants, particularly willows and poplars. The specific epithet "hirtus" refers to the hairy or shaggy appearance characteristic of this species.
Curculionidae weevil Salix Populus riparian North-America Canada LeConte-1876
Furcula borealis
White Furcula Moth
Furcula borealis, commonly known as the white furcula moth, is a North American notodontid moth with a wingspan of 31–42 mm. Adults are active from April to August across a broad range extending from New Hampshire to Florida and westward to Texas, Colorado, and South Dakota. The larvae feed on woody plants including cherry, willow, and poplar species.
Notodontidae Cerurinae Lepidoptera North-America spring-moth summer-moth woody-plant-feeder Prunus Salix Populus
Iteomyia
Iteomyia is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) first described by Kieffer in 1913. The genus comprises five described species, including Iteomyia salicisverruca, a well-known gall-former on willows. These small flies are associated with Salix (willow) host plants, inducing characteristic galls on leaves or stems. The genus is distributed across northern Europe and North America.
gall-midge Cecidomyiidae willow-gall Salix plant-gall Diptera
Malacosoma incurva
Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma incurva is a tent caterpillar moth native to the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. The larvae construct silken tents and feed on specific host plants including Fremont cottonwood, willows, and Prunus species. The species was first described by Henry Edwards in 1882 and is distinguished from related eastern and western tent caterpillars by its restricted geographic range.
tent-caterpillar Lasiocampidae defoliator southwestern-United-States Populus Salix Prunus
Megatibicen pronotalis
Walker's Annual Cicada, Walker's cicada
Megatibicen pronotalis, commonly known as Walker's Annual Cicada or Walker's cicada, is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States and has been reported from states including Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Alabama, and Florida. Males produce sound using tymbals—hardened membranes under plates on the venter at the base of the abdomen—and are reportedly among the loudest insects in the world. The species is often associated with riparian cottonwood (Populus) and willow (Salix) habitats.
cicada annual-cicada riparian acoustic Hemiptera Cicadidae North-America Great-Plains loud tymbal Populus Salix late-summer autumn male-calling-song
Nematus laticulus
Nematus laticulus is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Nematinae. It is a small, slender sawfly associated with willow (Salix) hosts. The species was described by Villaret in 1832 and is part of a large genus of primarily Holarctic distribution. Adults are active in spring and early summer.
sawfly Tenthredinidae Nematinae willow Salix Europe spring herbivore riparian
Pachysphinx modesta
Modest Sphinx, Poplar Sphinx
A large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, found across much of North America from the southern United States through Canada. Adults fly primarily in early to mid-summer, with single generations in northern parts of the range and potentially two generations further south. Larvae feed on poplar, willow, and cottonwood species.
Sphingidae sphinx-moth hawkmoth North-America riparian Populus Salix nocturnal light-attracted
Paranthrene dollii
Doll's clearwing moth, cottonwood clearwing borer, poplar borer moth, Doll's clearwing, cottonwood clearwing, poplar borer
Paranthrene dollii is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, native to North America. Adults are active from March through October and may produce multiple flights per season. The species is notable for its wasp-mimicking appearance and its larval association with poplar and willow trees, earning it the common name 'cottonwood clearwing borer.'
Sesiidae clearwing-moth wasp-mimic wood-borer Populus Salix Nearctic riparian diurnal
Pheosia rimosa
Black-rimmed Prominent, Fissured Prominent, False-sphinx
Pheosia rimosa is a moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. It is widely distributed across North America with a notable gap in the southeastern United States. The species exhibits a wingspan of 43–62 mm and adults are active from spring through fall. Larvae feed on leaves of Populus and Salix species. The taxon Pheosia portlandia, previously considered a distinct Pacific coastal species, has been synonymized with P. rimosa.
Notodontidae prominent-moth folivore Populus Salix North-America transcontinental
Phyllonorycter mildredae
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2001. Adults have forewings 2.4–3 mm in length. The species is likely more widespread than current records indicate, with confirmed reports from Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. Larvae create blotch mines on leaves of poplars and willows.
leaf-miner Populus Salix Gracillariidae microlepidoptera eastern-United-States
Poecilonota cyanipes
eastern poplar buprestid, eastern poplar jewel beetle
Poecilonota cyanipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the eastern poplar buprestid or eastern poplar jewel beetle. The species is found throughout North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are associated exclusively with Populus and Salix species, where larvae develop in dead or dying branches. The specific epithet 'cyanipes' refers to the blue coloration of the feet. Despite being described as the best-known and most commonly collected American species of Poecilonota, field encounters can be infrequent and unpredictable, with abundance varying significantly based on timing and host plant condition.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle wood-boring-beetle Populus Salix Cerceris-fumipennis North-America riparian biosurveillance
Poecilonota thureura
Poecilonota thureura is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States. It has been collected as prey by the biosurveillance wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which specializes in capturing buprestid beetles. The species is considered uncommon in collections.
Buprestidae metallic-wood-boring-beetle Nearctic biosurveillance Cerceris-fumipennis uncommon North-America Canada United-States Louisiana Oklahoma Manitoba Saskatchewan Salix willow
Pterocomma
Willow Bark Aphids
Pterocomma is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, commonly known as willow bark aphids. Species in this genus are phloem-feeding insects primarily associated with woody host plants in the genus Salix (willows) and Populus (poplars). The genus exhibits a specialized ecological relationship with ants, which frequently tend colonies and mediate dispersal between host plants. Pterocomma species harbor the obligate bacterial endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola, which provides essential amino acids necessary for survival on their nutrient-poor phloem sap diet.
aphid phloem-feeder ant-mutualism endosymbiosis Buchnera Salix Populus forest-pest Sternorrhyncha Macrosiphini
Rabdophaga
Willow Gall Midges
Rabdophaga is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae comprising approximately 105 species distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The genus is predominantly associated with willows (Salix spp.), where larvae induce characteristic galls; most species are host-specific to particular willow species or sections. A notable exception is R. giraudiana, which forms stem galls on poplars (Populus spp.), and a 2016 record documents the first Rabdophaga species on a non-Salicaceae host, Symplocos cochinchinensis (Symplocaceae). Species within the genus exhibit varying degrees of host fidelity, with some showing strong preference-performance relationships and others demonstrating broader host ranges across willow sections.
gall-midge Cecidomyiidae willow Salix gall-induction host-specificity Holarctic phylogeography host-parasitoid-interactions preference-performance-hypothesis
Rabdophaga rigidae
willow beaked-gall midge
Rabdophaga rigidae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces characteristic galls in willow terminal buds. The species is native to North America and was formerly thought to occur in eastern Asia, but Asian populations have been reclassified as the distinct species R. salicivora. Larval development occurs within galls, with adults emerging in spring.
gall-midge Cecidomyiidae willow-gall Salix North-America beaked-gall induced-plant-structure overwintering-larva spring-emergence herbivore-facilitation taxonomic-revision
Saperda populnea
small poplar borer
Saperda populnea is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) that forms distinctive woody galls on twigs of poplars and willows. The species was described by Linnaeus in 1758 and has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. Females create characteristic horseshoe-shaped cuts on host twigs where eggs are deposited, leading to gall formation. The beetle is of economic concern in hybrid aspen plantations due to damage to young trees.
Cerambycidae gall-former Populus Salix forest-pest parasitoid-host bivoltine palearctic nearctic
Sthenopis
ghost moths
Sthenopis is a genus of ghost moths in the family Hepialidae, containing eight described species distributed across North America and China. These moths are notable for their larvae feeding on woody plants and ferns rather than grasses, unlike many related hepialids. Several species have distinctive metallic spotting patterns referenced in their common names.
Hepialidae ghost-moths root-borers North-America China Salix ferns
Trypophloeus
Trypophloeus is a genus of bark beetles in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae, containing approximately 12 species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus is primarily associated with Salicaceae hosts, particularly Populus and Salix species. Trypophloeus populi has gained recent attention as the causative agent of sudden aspen decline in North America. Several species are significant forest pests, with T. klimeschi causing extensive damage to shelter forests in northwest China and T. binodulus affecting poplar plantations in Spain.
bark-beetle Scolytinae Populus Salix forest-pest sudden-aspen-decline semiochemical nematode-vector China Spain Alaska climate-change invasive-potential
Xylotrechus insignis
Willow Borer
Xylotrechus insignis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. Commonly known as the Willow Borer, this beetle is recognized for its wood-boring larvae that tunnel into willow trees and related hosts, potentially causing significant damage or tree mortality. Adults measure 12–16 mm in length. The species is native to North America, with records from the United States and Mexico.
Cerambycidae Cerambycinae Clytini wood-borer pest willow Salix North-America LeConte-1873